Veri Veri Teriyaki sauce is a popular teriyaki sauce brand. Teriyaki sauce is a Japanese cooking sauce that is sweet and savory, with a slight tanginess. It is commonly used as a marinade, glaze, or dipping sauce. Veri Veri Teriyaki sauce can be used to flavor meat, seafood, noodles, rice, vegetables, and more. But what exactly is in this delicious teriyaki sauce? Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients that give Veri Veri Teriyaki sauce its signature sweet, salty, and umami taste.
Main Ingredients
Veri Veri Teriyaki sauce contains the following main ingredients:
Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is the base ingredient of teriyaki sauce. It provides saltiness, savoriness, and that brown color. Soy sauce is brewed from soybeans, wheat, water, and salt. High quality soy sauce like the kind used in Veri Veri Teriyaki sauce contains just these basic ingredients. The soybeans and wheat are fermented, which results in natural glutamates that give soy sauce its savory umami taste.
Sugar
Sugar balances out the saltiness of the soy sauce in teriyaki sauce. It provides sweetness to complement the umami flavors. Veri Veri Teriyaki sauce uses high quality sugar sources like cane sugar or brown rice syrup. The sugar caramelizes when cooked, giving teriyaki glazes their lovely sheen.
Mirin
Mirin is an essential ingredient in teriyaki sauce. It is a Japanese sweet cooking wine made from fermented rice. Mirin adds sweetness, but also depth of flavor. It gives teriyaki glazes their glossy texture. Quality mirin like that used in Veri Veri Teriyaki sauce contains no artificial flavors or colors.
Ginger
Fresh ginger root adds a kick of spiciness and bright flavor to teriyaki sauce. It complements the sweet and savory tastes. Ginger also aids digestion when consuming a protein-rich meal with teriyaki sauce.
Garlic
Like ginger, garlic adds aromatic flavor to teriyaki sauce. It provides a subtle background heat. Garlic also pairs wonderfully with soy sauce, enhancing the umami and overall flavor impact of teriyaki sauce.
Secondary Ingredients
In addition to the main ingredients, Veri Veri Teriyaki sauce contains secondary ingredients to enhance the flavor, texture, and quality:
Sesame Oil
Sesame oil adds nuttiness and richness to the sauce. Just a small amount of this aromatic oil amplifies the savory flavors.
Rice Vinegar
Rice vinegar adds a touch of acidity to balance out the sweetness. This helps brighten the overall flavor profile.
Cornstarch
A small amount of cornstarch thickens the teriyaki sauce to the desired viscous, clinging texture. It enables the sauce to properly coat food in a glaze.
Onion and Garlic Powders
Dehydrated onion and garlic reinforce the flavors already provided by the fresh ingredients. They ensure a consistent savory taste.
Ginger Powder
Like the onion and garlic powder, ginger powder provides extra punch of that namesake flavor.
Sodium Benzoate
A minor amount of sodium benzoate preservative is used to prevent growth of microorganisms and extend shelf life. This allows the teriyaki sauce to stay fresh during shipping and storage.
Flavor Variations
Veri Veri Teriyaki sauce comes in a few different flavor varieties:
Original
The original Veri Veri Teriyaki sauce contains the core ingredients of high quality soy sauce, sugar, mirin, fresh ginger, and garlic. This is the foundational teriyaki sauce flavor profile.
Yakitori
Yakitori Veri Veri Teriyaki sauce has extra umami flavor from the addition of bonito fish flakes, a traditional Japanese ingredient. It’s designed for grilling chicken and vegetables.
Spicy
Spicy Veri Veri Teriyaki sauce includes a blend of chili peppers to give it a fiery kick. It packs the aromatic heat of jalapeno, serrano, and red chili peppers.
| Flavor | Special Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Original | N/A |
| Yakitori | Bonito fish flakes |
| Spicy | Jalapeno, serrano, and red chili peppers |
Nutrition Facts
Veri Veri Teriyaki sauce contains the following nutrients per 2 tablespoon serving:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 40 |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Sodium | 730mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 9g |
| Sugars | 7g |
| Protein | 1g |
As shown, Veri Veri Teriyaki sauce is low in fat, carbohydrates, and protein. The majority of calories come from sugar. Sodium content is moderately high due to the soy sauce. When enjoying teriyaki dishes, balance out the sodium with plenty of vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
How to Use
Veri Veri Teriyaki sauce is extremely versatile. Here are some serving tips:
– Marinate proteins like chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, salmon, or tofu in teriyaki sauce for 30 minutes up to overnight
– Add teriyaki sauce to stir fries and noodle dishes during cooking
– Use as a dipping sauce for dumplings, potstickers, spring rolls, or tempura
– Brush on vegetables, meat, or fish when grilling, broiling, or baking
– Glaze cooked rice with teriyaki sauce
– Shake well and use as a salad dressing or dip for fresh summer rolls
– Mix into fried rice or noodle dishes
– Use as a base for teriyaki chicken wings or meatballs
– Simmer with pineapple chunks to make teriyaki kabobs
Veri Veri Teriyaki sauce can transform ordinary ingredients into craveworthy Asian fusion cuisine. A little bit goes a long way due to its highly concentrated flavor.
Buying and Storage Tips
When purchasing Veri Veri Teriyaki sauce:
– Check the label for all natural ingredients. Avoid artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
– Look for sauce that contains real mirin, not just sugar and food coloring. Quality teriyaki sauce uses authentic mirin.
– Select fresh sauces that have not passed their best by date. Teriyaki sauce can start losing its flavor after opening.
– Buy sauce bottled in glass when possible. This prevents chemical leaching from plastic.
– Refrigerate after opening and use within 2-3 months for best flavor.
– Store unopened bottles in a cool, dark place like the pantry. Avoid temperature extremes.
Properly stored, Veri Veri Teriyaki sauce will retain its delicious sweet and savory taste for months after opening. A quick shake before using will recombine any separated oil.
Cost Analysis
Veri Veri Teriyaki sauce costs around $3 to $5 for an 8 ounce bottle. Here is how it compares to other leading brands:
| Brand | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Veri Veri Teriyaki Sauce | 8 oz | $3.99 |
| Kikkoman Teriyaki Marinade and Sauce | 10 oz | $4.19 |
| Yamasa Soy Sauce Teriyaki Marinade | 16 oz | $4.99 |
| Annie Chun’s Organic Teriyaki Sauce | 8 oz | $3.99 |
| San-J Organic Tamari Soy Sauce | 10 oz | $4.49 |
As you can see, Veri Veri offers competitive pricing on par with other premium teriyaki sauces. When calculating price per ounce, it delivers good value for the quality. Veri Veri uses all natural, high end ingredients with no artificial additives.
Compared to cheap generic teriyaki sauce, Veri Veri costs a dollar or two more. But you can really taste the difference in flavors. Paying a small premium is worthwhile to enjoy authentic, restaurant-quality teriyaki sauce.
Conclusion
Veri Veri Teriyaki sauce is made with a simple blend of high quality ingredients like soy sauce, sugar, mirin, ginger, and garlic. It comes in original, yakitori, and spicy flavor varieties. With only 40 calories and 0g fat per serving, it can be part of a healthy Asian-inspired diet when used in moderation. Veri Veri Teriyaki sauce is extremely versatile in the kitchen for marinades, glazes, dipping sauces, and more. When buying, look for all natural ingredients in glass bottles and store properly refrigerated. Though slightly more expensive than generic brands, Veri Veri delivers excellent value for the gourmet flavor. Drizzle it on everything from meats to rice dishes to enjoy delicious Asian cuisine at home.